Another Happy Villa Player

Aaron Hughes has joined the chorus of approval for the arrival of Martin O'Neill.

Hughes, who joined Villa from Newcastle during David O'Leary's ill fated reign, told Sky Sports News:

'Everyone's just relieved something's been put in place now because it was a bit strange coming out (tour of Germany and Holland) and not having a manager,'

'Obviously Eric Steele's done a good job but now we can concentrate on the two games and the rest of the week and start preparing properly because we've got a big one for the start of the season. Martin strikes you as a very honest man. He's going to be straight up, regardless of whether you like what he says or not, he's going to tell it like it is and I think that's a good thing because you know where you stand.'

'He gets the best out of people and it's what we need here because we've got some talented players. And if we can get the best out of them every week then we've got a great chance of doing something here at Villa.'

Hughes admitted revelations of a players' statement that was rumoured to have criticised the chairmanship of Doug Ellis came as a complete surprise to him.

He also says on the players statement and the furore it caused 'We're glad it's behind us now. Martin has come in and it's a new era. The start of a new beginning.'